President Obama's declaration will enable the federal government to provide assistance and resources to New York State and local governments to support activities related to evacuation, sheltering, and other protective measures. AP photo

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced that President Obama has granted his request for a federal emergency declaration.

"Once again, I thank the President for his quick response to my request for a federal emergency declaration which will apply to the entire State of New York. We appreciate the federal government's support as we continue to prepare for Hurricane Sandy," Governor Cuomo said.

The declaration will enable the federal government to provide assistance and resources to New York State and local governments to support activities related to evacuation, sheltering, and other protective measures.

The declaration will provide New York with technical assistance at no cost from any federal agency in support of the state's response to Hurricane Sandy. This includes areas such as debris management, logistics management and electric power generation.

The Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), is authorized to provide appropriate assistance for required emergency measures, authorized under Title V of the Stafford Act, to save lives and to protect property and public health and safety, or to lessen or avert the threat of a catastrophe in the designated areas. Specifically, FEMA is authorized to provide emergency protective measures (Category B), limited to direct federal assistance, under the Public Assistance program at 75 percent federal funding.

This assistance is for all counties in the State of New York.

Additional designations may be made at a later date after if requested by the state and warranted by the results of further evaluation.